Lawn Mowers: What To Look For

Lawn mowers and the environment

The current picture for lawn-mower environmental impact is mixed. There are some new developments among electric lawn mowers, which are the least polluting type (aside from manual reel mowers). The heavily advertised Neuton cordless electric mower now comes in a wider 19-inch width, the Neuton CE 6.2 (*est. $490). The Canadian self-propelled electric mowers that can be bought with a solar charger (*est. $250) -- the Solaris (*est. $500) and Epic (*est. $500) --are now easier to find in the United States, but are still expensive. All use lead batteries, however, which require careful disposal and mitigate some of the environmental benefit of going with an electric mower instead of a gas mower.

Gas lawn mowers are still not quite keeping pace with consumers' interest in greener lifestyles. In January 2007, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) established new Tier III emissions regulations for any lawn mower sold in that state. Honda is still the only manufacturer that makes all of its lawn mowers 50-state compliant. This means that you can buy a CARB-certified, low-emissions Honda lawn mower anywhere in the United States. This is more than a matter of the mowers' engines; the California standards also reduce fume leakage from the fuel lines, requiring better materials. EPA won't enforce the California standards for new mowers nationwide till 2011.

Meanwhile, you do have the freedom to choose a mower with lower emissions, and Honda isn't the only choice. We found a few self-propelled gas mowers by other brands that meet CARB standards. If you need to buy a gasoline-powered mower, choosing a CARB-certified model -- even if you don't live in California -- means polluting less and contributing less to global warming. This also makes for a healthier air quality around your home. Some retailers -- Home Depot, for example -- are making CARB-certified mowers available online.

Most independent dealers can special-order CARB-certified mowers. If you can't find a mower that's CARB-certified, you can minimize air pollution by choosing one with a four-cycle overhead-valve (OHV) engine, then making sure you tune it up every year.

The latest lawn mower reviews say that most current gas-powered mowers are easier to start than older mowers, and many have a high-dome design that helps cut the clippings into finer mulch. Reel mowers are now easier to use than older manual models. Experts suggest considering the following factors when buying a lawn mower:

• Be sure the maximum cutting height suits your grass and climate. In a hot, dry climate, you may need to let the lawn grow higher to conserve moisture. While most electric and gas mowers can cut grass as high as 3.5 or 4 inches, some reel mowers limit the height to less than 2 inches. Some experts say that cutting your grass too short can damage your lawn.

• Consider lawn obstacles. If you need to mow around a lot of obstacles, a narrower lawn mower may be easier to use. If you have a lot of leaves to collect in the fall, a gas or corded electric mower can turn them into useful mulch. Electric and gas mowers can usually handle twigs and pinecones too, but a side-discharging mower can turn them into dangerous flying objects. Even owners who love their reel mowers say twigs get stuck in the blades, so if you have a lot of trees in the yard, you might be happier with a power mower.

• Larger rear wheels and/or rear-wheel drive are best for slopes and irregular lawns. We found quite a few complaints about front-wheel-drive self-propelled lawn mowers, especially on slopes. Larger rear wheels can make a push mower easier to maneuver. Ball-bearing wheels are another plus.

• Consider future repairs. Every type of mower may need repairs at some point. Gas mowers can't be returned to an online retailer once oil and gas have been added, so reviewers advise buying locally or at least making sure local warranty service is available. Electric mowers can be shipped, but it's expensive -- so a nearby repair center is a big plus and could determine which brand to buy. Also, users say that buying the cheapest gas mower isn't always cost-effective in the long run, since frequent, expensive repairs may add a lot to the initial price.

• For gas mowers, "50-state compliant" are the "greenest" models. Not all gas lawn mower engines meet the best emissions standards. Reviews suggest looking for "50-state compliant," "CARB-certified" or "CA certified" models. All these terms mean the same thing: that the engine meets the new, stricter California standards. Some CARB-certified mowers are only available in California, while others can be found or ordered elsewhere.

• For gas mowers, horsepower and engine brand don't make much difference. The latest reviews say that all the major brands (Honda, Tecumseh and Briggs & Stratton) perform very well. Just beware, for now, of Chinese engine brands, which don't perform as well in reviews.

• Some mowers minimize trimming. Lawn-Boy mowers earn praise for the way the wheels are set in, allowing you to mow close to an edge. At the other extreme, reel mowers leave about a six-inch edge to be trimmed.

• Rear-bagging mowers are more convenient and easier to maneuver than side-bagging mowers. As a bag mounted on the side fills up, it gets heavy and can make the mower tip to one side. Reviews say some mowers are much better at bagging than others. The bagging option is especially useful in the fall, for chopping up leaves for the compost pile.

• An electric starter is also convenient. The latest reviews say that most lawn mowers start more easily than ever, but you may still prefer an electric start, especially if pulling a recoil cord strains your hands or arm. You do have to keep a battery charged, so some electric-start mowers also have a recoil start as a backup in case the battery runs down.

• A blade brake override adds convenience. Federal law requires that a powered mower shut off the blades as soon as the handle has been released. Most mowers fulfill this by shutting off the engine, but that can be inconvenient if you just want to stop for a moment to empty the bag or to move something out of the way. A blade-brake override stops the blades, but it keeps the motor running.

• The best self-propelled mowers have variable speed or several speeds. This is not only more comfortable, but it can also make for a more even cut, since a mower with only one speed may go too quickly to cut tall or tough grass evenly.

• For cordless mowers, lithium batteries are best, followed by NiMH, but most use lead-acid batteries. Lead-acid batteries pollute the air during manufacture, and they cause additional pollution if they're not recycled with care. NiCad batteries have cadmium, so they should be recycled carefully, too. Right now, the only lithium-powered mowers available in the United States are robotic, covered in our report on robotic mowers.

• Be aware of safety factors. Corded mowers should be used with a ground fault interrupter (GFI) on the cord or outlet to prevent shock or fire resulting from mixing water with electricity. Gas mowers require hearing protection and precautions to prevent sparks and fire. Any powered mower can throw rocks or other debris at high speed. Robotic mowers have the best safety record so far, and reel mowers are also considered safe. Register your mower so you'll be alerted right away in case of a recall.

• Consider health and environmental factors. Manual reel mowers have no environmental impact and offer good exercise. They're also good for people with allergies, because they stir up the least amount of dust and pollen. Solar and corded electric mowers are next least polluting, overall, followed by lithium-powered or NiMH-powered cordless mowers. Gas mowers cause the most noise and air pollution -- both health hazards. Fuel spills pollute the soil and groundwater. (California calculates that users spill 17 million gallons of gasoline and oil each year while refilling lawn equipment.)

• Look for a reel mower suited to your type of grass. Choose a 7-bladed reel mower for tough grasses such as Bermuda, or a 5-bladed reel mower for fescue and other upright grasses.